But B&NES Council leader Tim Warren has revealed he would be open to a merger - if it is in the best interest of residents - but he rejected any thought B&NES Council could be “swallowed” into a single body for Somerset.

Instead, he backed Wells MP James Heappey’s idea to create three new councils.

Mr Heappey sees B&NES Council joining the Mendips, Sedgemoor merging with North Somerset, and the southern part of the county coming together as another authority.

Councillor Tim Warren (Conservatives, Mendip) is the leader of B&NES Council

Cllr Warren said: “Somerset County Council is looking at all options for becoming a unitary authority. We have no interest in becoming part of one large Somerset authority - it would be too big and unruly.

“I’m always interested in things that might help Bath and North East Somerset. We should be part of the conversation, even if nothing changes.

“B&NES Council is one of the smaller unitaries. Being larger would make us more sustainable. We can survive as we are, but if it improves things for everyone it’s worth considering.

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Writing in the Western Daily Press, Mr Heappey said: “Somerset can’t quite decide whether we’re part of the far South West or whether we’re part of the West of England.

“The reality is that half the county looks north and the other half of the county looks south.

“My concern is that a county-wide unitary setting our priorities in a devolution deal with Devon, Plymouth and Torbay means the centre of decision making mass is pulled southwards to the disadvantage of the communities I represent along the county’s northern boundary.

“In unitary authority terms, one size cannot fit all.”

He added: “The three authorities would be able to work with the areas to our north or south depending on what is in the strategic interests of that part of the county whilst, crucially, combining whenever needed to give Somerset a loud voice on the national stage with three councils and nine MPs representing nearly a million people.”

Somerset County Council hopes to have the new model in place by the 2021 local elections.

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